07.025
Core and Pancharatra: Battle between Bhima and Duryodhana; Bhima and Pragjyotisha; Yudhishthira and Bhagadatta. Bhagadatta along with his elephant gains the upper hand on the Pandava army.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
तेष्वेवं संनिवृत्तेषु प्रत्युद्यातेषु भागशः। कथं युयुधिरे पार्था मामकाश्च तरस्विनः ॥७-२५-१॥
In this way, when they had returned and advanced in parts, how did the sons of Pṛthā and my mighty warriors engage in battle?
किमर्जुनश्चाप्यकरोत्संशप्तकबलं प्रति। संशप्तका वा पार्थस्य किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥७-२५-२॥
O Sañjaya, what actions did Arjuna take against the Saṃśaptaka forces? Or what did the Saṃśaptakas do to Arjuna?
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तथा तेषु निवृत्तेषु प्रत्युद्यातेषु भागशः। स्वयमभ्यद्रवद्भीमं नागानीकेन ते सुतः ॥७-२५-३॥
Thus, after they had returned and advanced in parts, your son personally attacked Bhima with an elephant army.
स नाग इव नागेन गोवृषेणेव गोवृषः। समाहूतः स्वयं राज्ञा नागानीकमुपाद्रवत् ॥७-२५-४॥
He, like a serpent confronting another serpent, like a bull confronting another bull, was personally invited by the king and attacked the army of elephants.
स युद्धकुशलः पार्थो बाहुवीर्येण चान्वितः। अभिनत्कुञ्जरानीकमचिरेणैव मारिष ॥७-२५-५॥
Arjuna, skilled in battle and endowed with great strength, swiftly destroyed the elephant army, O lord.
ते गजा गिरिसङ्काशाः क्षरन्तः सर्वतो मदम्। भीमसेनस्य नाराचैर्विमुखा विमदीकृताः ॥७-२५-६॥
The mighty elephants, resembling mountains and oozing ichor, were rendered disoriented and deprived of their ichor by Bhimasena's arrows.
विधमेदभ्रजालानि यथा वायुः समन्ततः। व्यधमत्तान्यनीकानि तथैव पवनात्मजः ॥७-२५-७॥
Just as the wind scatters the clouds in all directions, the son of the wind scattered the armies in the same way.
स तेषु विसृजन्बाणान्भीमो नागेष्वशोभत। भुवनेष्विव सर्वेषु गभस्तीनुदितो रविः ॥७-२५-८॥
Bhima, releasing arrows, shone among the elephants like the sun risen among all the worlds.
ते भीमबाणैः शतशः संस्यूता विबभुर्गजाः। गभस्तिभिरिवार्कस्य व्योम्नि नानाबलाहकाः ॥७-२५-९॥
They were pierced by Bhima's arrows in hundreds and dispersed like various clouds in the sky by the rays of the sun.
तथा गजानां कदनं कुर्वाणमनिलात्मजम्। क्रुद्धो दुर्योधनोऽभ्येत्य प्रत्यविध्यच्छितैः शरैः ॥७-२५-१०॥
Duryodhana, in anger, approached the son of the wind who was causing the slaughter of elephants and pierced him with sharp arrows.
ततः क्षणेन क्षितिपं क्षतजप्रतिमेक्षणः। क्षयं निनीषुर्निशितैर्भीमो विव्याध पत्रिभिः ॥७-२५-११॥
Then, in an instant, Bhima, with bloodshot eyes, aimed to destroy, struck the king with sharp arrows.
स शरार्पितसर्वाङ्गः क्रुद्धो विव्याध पाण्डवम्। नाराचैरर्करश्म्याभैर्भीमसेनं स्मयन्निव ॥७-२५-१२॥
He, with his entire body pierced by arrows, angrily attacked the Pāṇḍava, Bhīmasena, with iron arrows that shone like sun rays, as if he were smiling.
तस्य नागं मणिमयं रत्नचित्रं ध्वजे स्थितम्। भल्लाभ्यां कार्मुकं चैव क्षिप्रं चिच्छेद पाण्डवः ॥७-२५-१३॥
The Pandava swiftly severed the jewel-adorned serpent on the banner with two arrows.
दुर्योधनं पीड्यमानं दृष्ट्वा भीमेन मारिष। चुक्षोभयिषुरभ्यागादङ्गो मातङ्गमास्थितः ॥७-२५-१४॥
O great one, seeing Duryodhana being oppressed by Bhima, Anga approached, desiring to stir things up, mounted on an elephant.
तमापतन्तं मातङ्गमम्बुदप्रतिमस्वनम्। कुम्भान्तरे भीमसेनो नाराचेनार्दयद्भृशम् ॥७-२५-१५॥
Bhimasena fiercely struck the oncoming elephant, whose roar was like thunder, with an arrow between its temples.
तस्य कायं विनिर्भिद्य ममज्ज धरणीतले। ततः पपात द्विरदो वज्राहत इवाचलः ॥७-२५-१६॥
His body pierced through and sank into the ground. Then the elephant fell like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt.
तस्यावर्जितनागस्य म्लेच्छस्यावपतिष्यतः। शिरश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन क्षिप्रकारी वृकोदरः ॥७-२५-१७॥
Vrikodara, with swift action, severed the head of the barbarian whose elephant was bending and falling, using an arrow.
तस्मिन्निपतिते वीरे सम्प्राद्रवत सा चमूः। सम्भ्रान्ताश्वद्विपरथा पदातीनवमृद्नती ॥७-२५-१८॥
When the hero fell, the army fled in panic, trampling over the terrified horses, elephants, chariots, and foot soldiers.
तेष्वनीकेषु सर्वेषु विद्रवत्सु समन्ततः। प्राग्ज्योतिषस्ततो भीमं कुञ्जरेण समाद्रवत् ॥७-२५-१९॥
As all the armies were fleeing in every direction, Pragjyotisha then attacked Bhima with an elephant.
येन नागेन मघवानजयद्दैत्यदानवान्। स नागप्रवरो भीमं सहसा समुपाद्रवत् ॥७-२५-२०॥
The serpent by whom Indra conquered the demons and Danavas, that chief of serpents suddenly attacked Bhima.
श्रवणाभ्यामथो पद्भ्यां संहतेन करेण च। व्यावृत्तनयनः क्रुद्धः प्रदहन्निव पाण्डवम् ॥७-२५-२१॥
Then, with ears and feet, with joined hands and averted eyes, he appeared angry, as if burning the Pāṇḍava.
ततः सर्वस्य सैन्यस्य नादः समभवन्महान्। हा हा विनिहतो भीमः कुञ्जरेणेति मारिष ॥७-२५-२२॥
Then a great cry arose from the entire army: "Alas, alas, Bhima has been killed by the elephant, O lord."
तेन नादेन वित्रस्ता पाण्डवानामनीकिनी। सहसाभ्यद्रवद्राजन्यत्र तस्थौ वृकोदरः ॥७-२५-२३॥
The sound caused the Pandava army to panic and suddenly attack, O king, where Bhima (Vrikodara) was standing.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा हतं मत्वा वृकोदरम्। भगदत्तं सपाञ्चालः सर्वतः समवारयत् ॥७-२५-२४॥
Then King Yudhishthira, believing that Vrikodara had been slain, surrounded Bhagadatta with the Panchalas from every direction.
तं रथै रथिनां श्रेष्ठाः परिवार्य समन्ततः। अवाकिरञ्शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥७-२५-२५॥
The best of the charioteers surrounded him on all sides with their chariots and showered him with sharp arrows by the hundreds and thousands.
स विघातं पृषत्कानामङ्कुशेन समाचरन्। गजेन पाण्डुपाञ्चालान्व्यधमत्पर्वतेश्वरः ॥७-२५-२६॥
He, using a goad, destroyed the arrows and attacked the Pāṇḍavas and the Pāñcālas with his elephant, the lord of mountains.
तदद्भुतमपश्याम भगदत्तस्य संयुगे। तथा वृद्धस्य चरितं कुञ्जरेण विशां पते ॥७-२५-२७॥
In the battle, we witnessed the remarkable feat of Bhagadatta; likewise, the actions of the elder with the elephant, O lord of men.
ततो राजा दशार्णानां प्राग्ज्योतिषमुपाद्रवत्। तिर्यग्यातेन नागेन समदेनाशुगामिना ॥७-२५-२८॥
Then the king of the Daśārṇas launched an attack on Prāgjyotiṣa using an intoxicated serpent that moved swiftly and horizontally.
तयोर्युद्धं समभवन्नागयोर्भीमरूपयोः। सपक्षयोः पर्वतयोर्यथा सद्रुमयोः पुरा ॥७-२५-२९॥
A fierce battle took place between the two serpents of terrifying appearance, reminiscent of the ancient times when winged mountains with trees clashed.
प्राग्ज्योतिषपतेर्नागः संनिपत्यापवृत्य च। पार्श्वे दशार्णाधिपतेर्भित्त्वा नागमपातयत् ॥७-२५-३०॥
The serpent belonging to the lord of Prāgjyotiṣa gathered and turned away, and beside the lord of Daśārṇa, it pierced and caused the elephant to fall.
तोमरैः सूर्यरश्म्याभैर्भगदत्तोऽथ सप्तभिः। जघान द्विरदस्थं तं शत्रुं प्रचलितासनम् ॥७-२५-३१॥
Bhagadatta, with his seven sunbeam-like spears, struck the enemy who was seated on a moving elephant.
उपसृत्य तु राजानं भगदत्तं युधिष्ठिरः। रथानीकेन महता सर्वतः पर्यवारयत् ॥७-२५-३२॥
Yudhishthira, with his great chariot army, approached and surrounded King Bhagadatta from all sides.
स कुञ्जरस्थो रथिभिः शुशुभे सर्वतो वृतः। पर्वते वनमध्यस्थो ज्वलन्निव हुताशनः ॥७-२५-३३॥
He, seated on an elephant, appeared resplendent surrounded by charioteers on all sides, like a blazing fire in the heart of the forest on the mountain.
मण्डलं सर्वतः श्लिष्टं रथिनामुग्रधन्विनाम्। किरतां शरवर्षाणि स नागः पर्यवर्तत ॥७-२५-३४॥
The serpent turned around in a circle, closely packed from all sides by charioteers and fierce bowmen, who were showering arrows.
ततः प्राग्ज्योतिषो राजा परिगृह्य द्विपर्षभम्। प्रेषयामास सहसा युयुधानरथं प्रति ॥७-२५-३५॥
Then the king of Prāgjyotiṣa quickly sent the elephant warriors towards Yuyudhāna's chariot after surrounding them.
शिनेः पौत्रस्य तु रथं परिगृह्य महाद्विपः। अभिचिक्षेप वेगेन युयुधानस्त्वपाक्रमत् ॥७-२५-३६॥
The great elephant seized the chariot of Shini's grandson and hurled it with great speed, but Yuyudhana managed to retreat.
बृहतः सैन्धवानश्वान्समुत्थाप्य तु सारथिः। तस्थौ सात्यकिमासाद्य सम्प्लुतस्तं रथं पुनः ॥७-२५-३७॥
The charioteer, after raising the mighty Sindhu horses, stood once more on the drenched chariot upon reaching Satyaki.
स तु लब्ध्वान्तरं नागस्त्वरितो रथमण्डलात्। निश्चक्राम ततः सर्वान्परिचिक्षेप पार्थिवान् ॥७-२५-३८॥
Nāga, seizing the moment, swiftly emerged from the chariot circle and dispersed all the kings.
ते त्वाशुगतिना तेन त्रास्यमाना नरर्षभाः। तमेकं द्विरदं सङ्ख्ये मेनिरे शतशो नृपाः ॥७-२५-३९॥
The kings, frightened by his swift movement, regarded him, the lone elephant in the battle, as equivalent to hundreds.
ते गजस्थेन काल्यन्ते भगदत्तेन पाण्डवाः। ऐरावतस्थेन यथा देवराजेन दानवाः ॥७-२५-४०॥
The Pandavas are being tormented by Bhagadatta, who is mounted on an elephant, just as the demons are tormented by the king of gods, Indra, who is mounted on Airavata.
तेषां प्रद्रवतां भीमः पाञ्चालानामितस्ततः। गजवाजिकृतः शब्दः सुमहान्समजायत ॥७-२५-४१॥
As Bhima and the Panchalas fled in various directions, a tremendous noise created by elephants and horses filled the air.
भगदत्तेन समरे काल्यमानेषु पाण्डुषु। प्राग्ज्योतिषमभिक्रुद्धः पुनर्भीमः समभ्ययात् ॥७-२५-४२॥
As Bhagadatta harassed the Pandavas in battle, Bhima, filled with anger, once again approached Pragjyotisha.
तस्याभिद्रवतो वाहान्हस्तमुक्तेन वारिणा। सिक्त्वा व्यत्रासयन्नागस्ते पार्थमहरंस्ततः ॥७-२५-४३॥
The serpent used water released from its hand to sprinkle on the vehicles of the charging Arjuna, causing them to be frightened, and then took Arjuna away.
ततस्तमभ्ययात्तूर्णं रुचिपर्वाकृतीसुतः। समुक्षञ्शरवर्षेण रथस्थोऽन्तकसंनिभः ॥७-२५-४४॥
Then, the son of Ruciparva swiftly approached him, unleashing a torrent of arrows while standing on his chariot, appearing like death itself.
ततो रुचिरपर्वाणं शरेण नतपर्वणा। सुपर्वा पर्वतपतिर्निन्ये वैवस्वतक्षयम् ॥७-२५-४५॥
Then, the lord of the mountains was brought to Yama's abode with a beautifully-feathered, well-jointed arrow with bent joints.
तस्मिन्निपतिते वीरे सौभद्रो द्रौपदीसुताः। चेकितानो धृष्टकेतुर्युयुत्सुश्चार्दयन्द्विपम् ॥७-२५-४६॥
When the hero fell, the son of Subhadra, along with the sons of Draupadi, Cekitana, Dhrishtaketu, and Yuyutsu, attacked the elephant.
त एनं शरधाराभिर्धाराभिरिव तोयदाः। सिषिचुर्भैरवान्नादान्विनदन्तो जिघांसवः ॥७-२५-४७॥
They attacked him with a barrage of arrows, like clouds pouring rain, accompanied by terrifying sounds, with the intent to kill.
ततः पार्ष्ण्यङ्कुशाङ्गुष्ठैः कृतिना चोदितो द्विपः। प्रसारितकरः प्रायात्स्तब्धकर्णेक्षणो द्रुतम् ॥७-२५-४८॥
Then, the skilled mahout urged the elephant with his heel, goad, and thumb, and the elephant swiftly moved forward with its trunk extended and its ears and eyes fixed.
सोऽधिष्ठाय पदा वाहान्युयुत्सोः सूतमारुजत्। पुत्रस्तु तव सम्भ्रान्तः सौभद्रस्याप्लुतो रथम् ॥७-२५-४९॥
He mounted on foot and attacked the charioteer of the one eager to fight. However, your son, in confusion, leapt onto Saubhadra's chariot.
स कुञ्जरस्थो विसृजन्निषूनरिषु पार्थिवः। बभौ रश्मीनिवादित्यो भुवनेषु समुत्सृजन् ॥७-२५-५०॥
The king, seated on his elephant, released arrows at his enemies and shone like the sun spreading its rays across the worlds.
तमार्जुनिर्द्वादशभिर्युयुत्सुर्दशभिः शरैः। त्रिभिस्त्रिभिर्द्रौपदेया धृष्टकेतुश्च विव्यधुः ॥७-२५-५१॥
Arjuna struck him with twelve arrows, Yuyutsu with ten, the sons of Draupadi with three each, and Dhrishtaketu also hit him.
सोऽरियत्नार्पितैर्बाणैराचितो द्विरदो बभौ। संस्यूत इव सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिर्जलदो महान् ॥७-२५-५२॥
He appeared majestic, like a great cloud interwoven with the sun's rays, covered with arrows shot by the enemy's efforts.
नियन्तुः शिल्पयत्नाभ्यां प्रेषितोऽरिशरार्दितः। परिचिक्षेप तान्नागः स रिपून्सव्यदक्षिणम् ॥७-२५-५३॥
The serpent, afflicted by enemy arrows and sent by the charioteer through skill and effort, threw the enemies around to the left and right.
गोपाल इव दण्डेन यथा पशुगणान्वने। आवेष्टयत तां सेनां भगदत्तस्तथा मुहुः ॥७-२५-५४॥
Bhagadatta, like a cowherd with a stick, repeatedly encircled the army as one would do with herds of cattle in the forest.
क्षिप्रं श्येनाभिपन्नानां वायसानामिव स्वनः। बभूव पाण्डवेयानां भृशं विद्रवतां स्वनः ॥७-२५-५५॥
The sound of the fleeing Pandavas quickly became intense, like the cries of crows attacked by hawks.
स नागराजः प्रवराङ्कुशाहतः; पुरा सपक्षोऽद्रिवरो यथा नृप। भयं तथा रिपुषु समादधद्भृशं; वणिग्गणानां क्षुभितो यथार्णवः ॥७-२५-५६॥
The king of serpents, once struck by the excellent goad, was like the best of mountains with wings, causing great fear among enemies and agitating the merchant groups like the ocean.
ततो ध्वनिर्द्विरदरथाश्वपार्थिवै; र्भयाद्द्रवद्भिर्जनितोऽतिभैरवः। क्षितिं वियद्द्यां विदिशो दिशस्तथा; समावृणोत्पार्थिव संयुगे तदा ॥७-२५-५७॥
Then, O king, in the battle, the terrifying sound produced by the fleeing elephants, chariots, horses, and kings out of fear enveloped the earth, sky, heaven, and all directions.
स तेन नागप्रवरेण पार्थिवो; भृशं जगाहे द्विषतामनीकिनीम्। पुरा सुगुप्तां विबुधैरिवाहवे; विरोचनो देववरूथिनीमिव ॥७-२५-५८॥
The king, with the help of the excellent elephant, fiercely attacked the enemy's army, reminiscent of how Virocana once challenged the well-guarded army of the gods in battle.
भृशं ववौ ज्वलनसखो वियद्रजः; समावृणोन्मुहुरपि चैव सैनिकान्। तमेकनागं गणशो यथा गजाः; समन्ततो द्रुतमिव मेनिरे जनाः ॥७-२५-५९॥
The wind, a friend of fire, blew intensely, spreading the dust of the sky and repeatedly covering the soldiers. The people thought that the lone elephant was like groups of elephants all around, moving quickly.
